Review of the declaration of Mosul District, Ninewa Province, Iraq

On 6 March 2018, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security resolved to inquire into and report on the Foreign Affairs Minister's declaration of Mosul District, Ninewa Province in Iraq.

Mosul district was first declared on 3 March 2015 for a period of three years.

Section 119.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 enables the Foreign Affairs Minister to declare an area in a foreign country in which he or she is satisfied that a listed terrorist organisation is engaging in hostile activity. Under the Act, a person commits an offence if they enter or remain in a declared area, unless they entered or remained in that area solely for legitimate purposes. The Act provides that the Committee may review the Foreign Affairs Minister's declaration within a period in which the declaration may be disallowed by the Parliament: 15 sitting days from the day the declaration is tabled.